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Blood, Smoke and Ashes
In the Fall of 1955, the state of Nevada used the electric chair to execute a prisoner for the first time.
It was also the last time.
Molly Blackburn, nicknamed Jane the Ripper by the Las Vegas press after killing eleven men while posing as a prostitute, was strapped to the chair without incident. The switch was flipped.
Everything after that went horribly wrong.
Since that day, a copycat Jane the Ripper has appeared almost every decade in a different city, mimicking Molly's choice in victims as well as her methods of murder. She kills eleven men then disappears, never to be found. The similarities between the bodies left behind each decade is uncanny. As if they are all the victims of the same murderer, not a copycat.
But that's impossible, of course, because Molly Blackburn is dead, her execution witnessed by a dozen people.
FBI Agent Jack Shaw, the lead investigator in the Jane the Ripper cases since the seventies, finally catches a break in 2009 when the intended fifth victim manages to turn the tables on the newest copycat . Everyone believes that the horror has finally ended with her capture. Shaw is not so sure, though, wondering if someone else will take up the mantle and kill seven more men to complete the cycle. But when no more bodies with her distinctive markings show up over the next two years, Shaw allows himself to believe that maybe he has seen the end of the Jane the Ripper murders.
As it turns out, what he thought was the end was only the beginning.
His hunt will take him across the country, and even when he thinks he's finally discovered the truth, he quickly learns that not everything is as it seems.
That not every monster is created equal.
That the nature of good and evil is not as black and white as he has always believed.
That not everything that is broken can be put back together.
That not every fractured soul can be saved.
When blood, smoke and ashes rise, no one comes out the same on the other side.
Blood, Smoke and Ashes is a 115,00 word supernatural thriller that also contains the first half of my crime/thriller novella "I Never"
Purchase at Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AV32G44
It was also the last time.
Molly Blackburn, nicknamed Jane the Ripper by the Las Vegas press after killing eleven men while posing as a prostitute, was strapped to the chair without incident. The switch was flipped.
Everything after that went horribly wrong.
Since that day, a copycat Jane the Ripper has appeared almost every decade in a different city, mimicking Molly's choice in victims as well as her methods of murder. She kills eleven men then disappears, never to be found. The similarities between the bodies left behind each decade is uncanny. As if they are all the victims of the same murderer, not a copycat.
But that's impossible, of course, because Molly Blackburn is dead, her execution witnessed by a dozen people.
FBI Agent Jack Shaw, the lead investigator in the Jane the Ripper cases since the seventies, finally catches a break in 2009 when the intended fifth victim manages to turn the tables on the newest copycat . Everyone believes that the horror has finally ended with her capture. Shaw is not so sure, though, wondering if someone else will take up the mantle and kill seven more men to complete the cycle. But when no more bodies with her distinctive markings show up over the next two years, Shaw allows himself to believe that maybe he has seen the end of the Jane the Ripper murders.
As it turns out, what he thought was the end was only the beginning.
His hunt will take him across the country, and even when he thinks he's finally discovered the truth, he quickly learns that not everything is as it seems.
That not every monster is created equal.
That the nature of good and evil is not as black and white as he has always believed.
That not everything that is broken can be put back together.
That not every fractured soul can be saved.
When blood, smoke and ashes rise, no one comes out the same on the other side.
Blood, Smoke and Ashes is a 115,00 word supernatural thriller that also contains the first half of my crime/thriller novella "I Never"
Purchase at Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AV32G44
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 30, 2012
395 people are currently reading
2378 people want to read
About the author
Bradley Convissar
30 books105 followersI am a dentist by day, a writer of dark fiction at night, and a father, husband, and not-so-proud pet owner when time permits.
I am the author of several dozen short stories, four novellas, and will be releasing my first novel, Blood, Smoke and Ashes, a supernatural thriller, in early 2013.
I was born in Georgia, but moved to southern New Jersey before I could be forced to be an Atlanta Braves fan. I spent my formative years living outside of Philadelphia where I latched on to the Philly sports teams and was promptly disappointed for almost twenty years. I spent my college years in New Orleans where I learned his bachelor's degree in evolutionary biology at Tulane University, then relocated to lovely Newark New Jersey, where I earned his DMD.
After eight years of bouncing around, I finally settled down back in south Jersey, only miles from the house I grew up in. I am happily married and the proud father of two children. I am also "dad' to a diabetic, half-blind eight-year-old daschund named Friday who is little more than a lump on the couch most of the time.
When not filling cavities or performing root canals or extracting teeth or fabricating dentures, or writing, I spend my time playing with my kids, playing video games, reading comic books, reading non-illustrated books, and impotently rooting on my beloved Philadelphia Phillies and less than beloved Philadelphia Eagles.
My favorite authors are, but not limited to, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Clive Barker, Richard Matheson, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, Simon Green, Jim Butcher, and Jeffery Deaver. I like to think that I learned something of the art of writing from each of these authors.
To this day, I wonder how the TV show LOST got so bad, so quickly. The wasted potential of the first three seasons still haunts me.
I am the author of several dozen short stories, four novellas, and will be releasing my first novel, Blood, Smoke and Ashes, a supernatural thriller, in early 2013.
I was born in Georgia, but moved to southern New Jersey before I could be forced to be an Atlanta Braves fan. I spent my formative years living outside of Philadelphia where I latched on to the Philly sports teams and was promptly disappointed for almost twenty years. I spent my college years in New Orleans where I learned his bachelor's degree in evolutionary biology at Tulane University, then relocated to lovely Newark New Jersey, where I earned his DMD.
After eight years of bouncing around, I finally settled down back in south Jersey, only miles from the house I grew up in. I am happily married and the proud father of two children. I am also "dad' to a diabetic, half-blind eight-year-old daschund named Friday who is little more than a lump on the couch most of the time.
When not filling cavities or performing root canals or extracting teeth or fabricating dentures, or writing, I spend my time playing with my kids, playing video games, reading comic books, reading non-illustrated books, and impotently rooting on my beloved Philadelphia Phillies and less than beloved Philadelphia Eagles.
My favorite authors are, but not limited to, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Clive Barker, Richard Matheson, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, Simon Green, Jim Butcher, and Jeffery Deaver. I like to think that I learned something of the art of writing from each of these authors.
To this day, I wonder how the TV show LOST got so bad, so quickly. The wasted potential of the first three seasons still haunts me.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
January 1, 2013
This is my first full length novel, clocking in at 115K words. It was supposed to be a pure horror novel, but became a supernatural thriller/horror somewhere along the way. But I make no apologies. I had one idea about the story I wanted to tell, but my characters wanted to go a different direction. And only a fool ignores the wishes of his characters. I make no excuses. Blood, Smoke and Ashes is what it is, and you will either enjoy it or you won't. It is a brutal, disturbing tale, and at times viscous and visceral. If I accomplished anything with this book, hopefully it is this: you won't soon forget Molly Blackburn.
June 17, 2015
This book started out promising. Not completely original - serial killer put to death, vows to return to take care of unfinished business. All will pay. Creepy supernatural. I'm in. Slight twist that this serial killer is female, nice touch. Unfortunately, Molly Blackburn is just too stereotypically over the top - an extreme caricature of Ilene Wuornos. To the point that the abuse that Molly was supposed to have endured to create this crazed serial killer was miles away from being remotely believable. Molly ended up being every stereotypical female murderer wrapped up in one psychotic package. It was just too much.
I will say that the book followed the proper formula, right around the halfway point, we encounter what I think is a plot twist that was so out of character for Molly that I was reminded of
Another major issue I had with this book was the editing (okay, the lack of editing). I've been reading a lot of self-published or independently published authors lately and I'm willing to cut some slack for typos or spelling errors. But my inner grammar police just couldn't handle mixing up "your" and "you're." Time to bust out the badge
All of that would have still earned this book a 3 star rating because the pace was really good up until the last 50 pages. What sealed this book as a 2 star read was the ending. It went from logical and fast paced to random and slower than rush hour traffic in Los Angeles. The end felt like , only not as exciting, and I just couldn't do it.
I will say that the book followed the proper formula, right around the halfway point, we encounter what I think is a plot twist that was so out of character for Molly that I was reminded of
Another major issue I had with this book was the editing (okay, the lack of editing). I've been reading a lot of self-published or independently published authors lately and I'm willing to cut some slack for typos or spelling errors. But my inner grammar police just couldn't handle mixing up "your" and "you're." Time to bust out the badge
All of that would have still earned this book a 3 star rating because the pace was really good up until the last 50 pages. What sealed this book as a 2 star read was the ending. It went from logical and fast paced to random and slower than rush hour traffic in Los Angeles. The end felt like , only not as exciting, and I just couldn't do it.
February 7, 2013
I don't even know where to start! First, thank Mr. Convissar for the follow! I guess that is where this all started. Lol
This book is amazing. I loved the unique storyline. Some may say it's not unique, as there are tons of stories where a person/ghost was wronged and comes back for revenge. However, the author takes this to a whole new level. I thought I knew what was going to happen next, only to get to the next page and be utterly shocked. I thought, the story was over, only to find out it wasn't. Then I thought it was over again, only to find out it wasn't! That turned out to be a really good thing.
I recommend this book to everyone. Read it, you will be glad you did. :)
Great book Mr. Convissar!
This book is amazing. I loved the unique storyline. Some may say it's not unique, as there are tons of stories where a person/ghost was wronged and comes back for revenge. However, the author takes this to a whole new level. I thought I knew what was going to happen next, only to get to the next page and be utterly shocked. I thought, the story was over, only to find out it wasn't. Then I thought it was over again, only to find out it wasn't! That turned out to be a really good thing.
I recommend this book to everyone. Read it, you will be glad you did. :)
Great book Mr. Convissar!
January 23, 2013
Some abuse is too terrible to comprehend. Some damage runs too deep to ever heal and sometimes revenge is not as sweet, as it is evil. Brad Convissar’s first full length novel is a genuine diamond in the rough. Briskly paced and entertaining. Brad takes us on a journey about an angry spirit of a serial killer whose hate and vengeance is stronger than death itself. The nightmare must be stopped at all costs and a trio of unlikely heroes must find a way to execute the evil once and for all. Very solid writing from Brad Convissar. Well done.
January 16, 2013
Allow me to be clear about this five star rating. I am rating this book based on its merit as the first stand-alone novel by this author. For being the first novel, it was above and beyond my expectations, and for that alone, it was amazing in my eyes.
To give a book five stars, for me, it has to: have a good pace, have mostly well-rounded characters, present a history of the characters to a degree, introduce a how-when-why-where scenario to make the story tie together and be mostly believable, have a couple of good twists and unforeseen turns in the story, and, ultimately, if it doesn't suck me in by the first three chapters, I won't enjoy it. A well-thought and designed conclusion to the overarching story line doesn't hurt, either...
The pace of Blood, Smoke and Ashes is very quick - stories are built quickly, and expounded upon the perfect amount without becoming droll and boring. Generally, even in the most spell-binding of stories, there is a lull in the pace, often which sets the reader up for another plot point or climax. Not so in Blood, Smoke and Ashes. Every single moment that you are reading, you are consumed by the story.
The story of the antagonist, Molly Blackburn, is bone-chilling. Reading about her life is likely to give you nightmares, however, the history of this character is written with finesse, which allows the reader to understand the character of Jane the Ripper and sympathize with her. Whilst Jane the Ripper is a monster; a psychopath with no regrets and no shame, she is still a character for which you feel empathy. Reading about her life almost makes one want to forgive everything she has done, due to the horrors that made her what she is, the embodiment of evil.
Convissar does a good job of balancing the scales to which direction he wants the reader to go - one moment, you feel empathy for the antagonist. The next, you can't wait for her to get what's coming to her.
Every character in this novel is written well. Bits and pieces of personal information and background on each character is revealed as the story unfolds, which I appreciate in a book. I like to know where the people come from, and find something in each of them to which I can identify.
The conclusion of Blood, Smoke and Ashes certainly does not disappoint. The revelation of why Molly does certain things that she does and returns to certain places is cleverly interwoven to tie the supernatural elements of the story together perfectly. I did like how the ending is left open slightly with some questions. It makes one wonder, will there be a sequel? Will this book tie in to another book, a la Dean Koontz and Stephen King?
And secretly? I kinda hope it does, it would be awesome.
To give a book five stars, for me, it has to: have a good pace, have mostly well-rounded characters, present a history of the characters to a degree, introduce a how-when-why-where scenario to make the story tie together and be mostly believable, have a couple of good twists and unforeseen turns in the story, and, ultimately, if it doesn't suck me in by the first three chapters, I won't enjoy it. A well-thought and designed conclusion to the overarching story line doesn't hurt, either...
The pace of Blood, Smoke and Ashes is very quick - stories are built quickly, and expounded upon the perfect amount without becoming droll and boring. Generally, even in the most spell-binding of stories, there is a lull in the pace, often which sets the reader up for another plot point or climax. Not so in Blood, Smoke and Ashes. Every single moment that you are reading, you are consumed by the story.
The story of the antagonist, Molly Blackburn, is bone-chilling. Reading about her life is likely to give you nightmares, however, the history of this character is written with finesse, which allows the reader to understand the character of Jane the Ripper and sympathize with her. Whilst Jane the Ripper is a monster; a psychopath with no regrets and no shame, she is still a character for which you feel empathy. Reading about her life almost makes one want to forgive everything she has done, due to the horrors that made her what she is, the embodiment of evil.
Convissar does a good job of balancing the scales to which direction he wants the reader to go - one moment, you feel empathy for the antagonist. The next, you can't wait for her to get what's coming to her.
Every character in this novel is written well. Bits and pieces of personal information and background on each character is revealed as the story unfolds, which I appreciate in a book. I like to know where the people come from, and find something in each of them to which I can identify.
The conclusion of Blood, Smoke and Ashes certainly does not disappoint. The revelation of why Molly does certain things that she does and returns to certain places is cleverly interwoven to tie the supernatural elements of the story together perfectly. I did like how the ending is left open slightly with some questions. It makes one wonder, will there be a sequel? Will this book tie in to another book, a la Dean Koontz and Stephen King?
And secretly? I kinda hope it does, it would be awesome.
June 20, 2016
This is the first book that I have read from this author. Great suspenseful, supernatural thriller that will keep you n the edge of your seat!
Everyone has heard of Jack the Ripper but what about Jane the ripper. That's right a female that goes around murdering men. Molly Blackburn was the original Jane, but she was caught and executed in 1955, so why are the killings still going on? It's more then a copycat. Because the letters carved in their bodies are the same handwriting, so how could this possibly be?
The latest Jane is caught but she remembers nothing and the fbi
agent Jack Shaw that has been on the case for the years, believes her.
Molly Blackburn was sentenced to death for the first murders. But the execution went horribly wrong. The only thing left of Molly was ashes. Could Molly's spirit be coming back and possess their bodies to kill?
I think you will enjoy this one if you like a little supernatural mixed on..keep the lights on.
Everyone has heard of Jack the Ripper but what about Jane the ripper. That's right a female that goes around murdering men. Molly Blackburn was the original Jane, but she was caught and executed in 1955, so why are the killings still going on? It's more then a copycat. Because the letters carved in their bodies are the same handwriting, so how could this possibly be?
The latest Jane is caught but she remembers nothing and the fbi
agent Jack Shaw that has been on the case for the years, believes her.
Molly Blackburn was sentenced to death for the first murders. But the execution went horribly wrong. The only thing left of Molly was ashes. Could Molly's spirit be coming back and possess their bodies to kill?
I think you will enjoy this one if you like a little supernatural mixed on..keep the lights on.
January 30, 2013
I opened Blood, Smoke, and Ash with some excitement. Having read a good number of Brad's shorter works, I knew what he was capable of as an author of short stories and couldn't wait to start a longer book by such a talented author. Brad took on the challenge of a full length novel and impressed me. He has the ability to capture the human element on the page. What started out as a detective story slowly and expertly twists and turns into quite an eerie paranormal thriller. A story of human limit and vengence. If you enjoy his short stories, you will enjoy this novel. If you have never read anything by this author, climb out from under the rock you have been hiding under and check him out... you will be happy you did!!
September 3, 2013
I downloaded Blood, Smoke,and Ashes when it was a free Kindle book. I would more than willingly have paid for it, had I known it was going to be so good! Twists, turns, mystery, horror and paranormal "all wrapped up in a neat little bow." Loved this book and couldn't read it fast enough to see how everything was going to turn out. I will be reading more short stories and novellas by Bradley Convissar! Can't wait for a sequel!!!
August 22, 2014
Why oh why do I keep reading dreck hoping it will somehow turn itself around? I slogged through this whole book - so you don't have to. There is no wonderfulness to be found. A fairly good idea, some interesting characters - saddled with some really bad prose, and an incredibly preachy ending to boot.
February 9, 2013
Really enjoyed this. Excellent pacing, engrossing plot, not too much fluff, but enough side-story/back-story to keep it interesting and buyable. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the horror/thriller genre.
February 24, 2018
Goodreads Kindle Copy Win
Molly Blackburn a.k.a. Jane the Ripper died in 1995 in Nevada by electric chair killing eleven men while disguise as a prostitute. But it did not quite go as plan when the switch was flipped as the prison ended up being burn to the ground and hat remain of Molly were ashes.
Every decade or so copycat killings have occurred in different locations but the victims and same type of method of killing them but it seems to stop after the eleventh victim. It looks like Molly did the deed but she is dead or is she?
Cana ghost reall overtake someone’s body and make them commit mrder A fascinating out of body read that keeps you on the edge.
Molly Blackburn a.k.a. Jane the Ripper died in 1995 in Nevada by electric chair killing eleven men while disguise as a prostitute. But it did not quite go as plan when the switch was flipped as the prison ended up being burn to the ground and hat remain of Molly were ashes.
Every decade or so copycat killings have occurred in different locations but the victims and same type of method of killing them but it seems to stop after the eleventh victim. It looks like Molly did the deed but she is dead or is she?
Cana ghost reall overtake someone’s body and make them commit mrder A fascinating out of body read that keeps you on the edge.
February 19, 2018
Molly was a tortured woman. She had a a bad life. When she married it got worse. She went on to kill her husband and 10 other men. She was sentenced to Death and was executed by the electric chair. And something went wrong instead of her just dying it fried her.! Then copycat killings start happening. Only the copycat is more like exactly the same. Is it possible that the copycat may not be a copycat after all.
April 23, 2018
This novel is chillingly awesome! I was so on edge in every chapter. There seems to be no end in how much information the author provided for the antagonist, the heroes,and the victims. The way the author made sure the reader can empathize with every character, and see everyone's pov from all different aspects in every prospective. I was thrilled to the bone reading every supernatural heartfelt sentence! I would recommend this book to any of my followers and friends on Goodreads.
August 25, 2019
Not what I expected
I don't generally read books that are mystical in a good vs evil kind of way but I must admit I really enjoyed this book. The book was very well written and I never lost interest even when the happenings were pretty far out there. In the end I think the book illustrates that each of us responds to trauma differently. Some people make it through the adversity, some people never recover, and others are completely consumed by the trauma.
I don't generally read books that are mystical in a good vs evil kind of way but I must admit I really enjoyed this book. The book was very well written and I never lost interest even when the happenings were pretty far out there. In the end I think the book illustrates that each of us responds to trauma differently. Some people make it through the adversity, some people never recover, and others are completely consumed by the trauma.
April 26, 2022
This novel is chillingly awesome! I was so on edge in every chapter. There seems to be no end in how much information the author provided for the antagonist, the heroes,and the victims. The way the author made sure the reader can empathize with every character, and see everyone's pov from all different aspects in every prospective. I was thrilled to the bone reading every supernatural heartfelt sentence! I would recommend this book to any of my followers and friends on Goodreads
July 3, 2017
The plot sounded interesting so it grabbed my attention. The first 30% of the book is ok but then it goes downhill. I like most types of books, even paranormal, but I just found this book to be poorly written/edited with a weak and frankly silly storyline. No thanks. I found myself skimming the second half of the book.
August 26, 2017
This book had an interesting premise but the execution sucked. The author summarized the basic premise and events way too.much. It's like he thought the reader is too stupid to remember what happened a few pages earlier. And the grammar sucked. Obviously didn't proofread as verb tenses didn't agree and there are incongruities in sentence structure and word choice. Skip this book.
January 23, 2019
An unexpected riveting book combining modern day detectives and paranormal
I started this book thinking it would be another detective story about the hunt for a serial killer. The inclusion of an evil spirit was at first an unwanted extra. It quickly blossomed into an even more intriguing story that kept me riveted until the end.
I started this book thinking it would be another detective story about the hunt for a serial killer. The inclusion of an evil spirit was at first an unwanted extra. It quickly blossomed into an even more intriguing story that kept me riveted until the end.
December 23, 2017
Dark and twisty with some light thrown in
Not my normal read (paranormal, which I’m not an avid reader of) but really well written and with the way it was written, didn’t emphasize the paranormal. Very intriguing through out and got me pretty amped up for the ending. Well done!
Not my normal read (paranormal, which I’m not an avid reader of) but really well written and with the way it was written, didn’t emphasize the paranormal. Very intriguing through out and got me pretty amped up for the ending. Well done!
March 25, 2018
This book was okay. Interesting concept and good story, but not that amazing to me. Plus there were quite a few editorial errors that kept throwing me off. Not an awful book, but nothing fantastic either. It’s in the middle for me.
July 30, 2019
Great story!
This is a very interesting story and plot. Good writing, though he needs to fire his editor. There were mistakes like the wrong words being used, a few spelling and grammar problems. Excellent book!
This is a very interesting story and plot. Good writing, though he needs to fire his editor. There were mistakes like the wrong words being used, a few spelling and grammar problems. Excellent book!
April 23, 2022
Get ready for a sleepless night!
This book will have you on the edge of your seat the whole way through. It was an intoxicating read. You never know what lurks in the shadows that make tortured souls turn evil.
This book will have you on the edge of your seat the whole way through. It was an intoxicating read. You never know what lurks in the shadows that make tortured souls turn evil.
January 7, 2018
I didn't write down my thoughts when I read this, but I remember that I liked it. It was a solid ghost/possession type of story.
November 3, 2017
Good read
Good read and enjoyed it to the end. I have never read this author and I am glad I did.
Good read and enjoyed it to the end. I have never read this author and I am glad I did.
May 28, 2018
BSA
Fiction is make believe. Did very good in the fiction of the story. Throw in some real cities names and came up with a good story.
Fiction is make believe. Did very good in the fiction of the story. Throw in some real cities names and came up with a good story.
January 9, 2019
This book popped up on my Kindle's lockscreen. I read the blurb and was hooked. Molly Blackburn was so real I had trouble going to sleep after finishing the last page. It was unputdownable.
February 23, 2019
Couldn't put it down!
Great read! Lots of twists and turns with no lagging. Looking forward to reading more from this author if this is what I have to look forward to!
Great read! Lots of twists and turns with no lagging. Looking forward to reading more from this author if this is what I have to look forward to!
August 20, 2019
Movie material
I could definitely see this being made into a horror flick. A book worth reading until the end. I see Christina Ricci as the lead.
I could definitely see this being made into a horror flick. A book worth reading until the end. I see Christina Ricci as the lead.
February 3, 2020
While I enjoyed the story overall, there were enough slow stretches and enough typos throughout the book to distract from my reading entertainment.
May 16, 2020
Intense
Totally loved this story! Mixture of paranormal and suspense. Had some really cool metaphors. Sad but also scary! Very intense ❤️
Totally loved this story! Mixture of paranormal and suspense. Had some really cool metaphors. Sad but also scary! Very intense ❤️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews